president obama says the cuts don't have to happen -- the problem is republicans won't compromise. >> "are they seriously prepared to inflict more pain on the middle class because they refuse to ask anything more of those at the very top?" >> reporter: louisiana's republican governor, bobby jindal called the administration's dire warnings, "political theatre." >> "families, businesses have had to tighten their belts and do more than less. we're talking less than 3%. we're talking about a federal budget that's still going to grow. let's be clear about this, only in washington, d.c. is that a cut." >> reporter: six weeks into his term as virginia's senator, democrat tim kaine says washington should go back to the basics. >> "let's get rid of the gimmicks, sequester, continuing resolution. get back to ordinary budgeting, just like what happens in every state capitol every year." >> reporter: senate democrats plan to vote on a measure this week to replace the cuts for another year. but with 85 billion dollars at stake, there is still no deal in sight. i'm cristina mutchler reporting. >> d